The Door County Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new granting program for non-profits working in Door County. The Community Impact Grant Program is funded by a substantial gift from Annie and Dick Egan of Sister Bay. Part of the Foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life by providing non-profits and donors opportunities to respond to evolving needs within the community.
This program is designed to encourage non-profit organizations to address community-wide issues collaboratively with vision, creativity, extensive planning, and action. It is an opportunity for organizations working in the arts and humanities, the environment, healthcare, and social services to work together to assure the vitality of Door County for current and future generations. The Community Foundation's goal is to grant up to $250,000 over a three year period. We plan to award approximately 1 to 10 grants within this timeframe. The first year's grant awards will total up to $50,000.
The Community Foundation has identified three areas of focus for the Community Impact Grants:
• Attracting and Retaining Families
• Building a Healthier Community
• Removing Barriers that Inhibit People's Full Participation in the Community
Below we frame these issues in ways that we hope encourages you to think outside of the mainstream and beyond what has already been tried in our community.
Attracting and Retaining Families
The Compass II Project (February 2005) issued by United Way of Door County and the University of Wisconsin Extension cites several areas in the community that need our attention to help families succeed. Furthermore, the average age of Door County's population is projected to increase at a faster rate than most other counties in Wisconsin. Areas of concern for families include: barriers that prevent families from participating in enriching family activities, the aging population, the development of employment opportunities, affordable housing, childhood and adult education, and attracting and welcoming a diverse population. The Economic Development Adjustment Plan for Door County (April 2005) also stresses the goals of retaining and attracting a skilled work force and younger families.
The Door County Community Foundation believes that family is the basis of a healthy community. A caring, dynamic and productive society is inclusive of all age groups and works to involve youth as an integral part of the community. In order to maintain a vital county, the community needs to attract a skilled work force and younger families; promote the sustenance of families; and encourage participation of individuals of all ages in a variety of healthy, affordable, and enjoyable activities. How can you attract, retain and help families thrive in Door County?
Building a Healthier Community
The Door County Community Foundation believes that for far too many members of our community, healthcare is not available or affordable. Because of Door County's unique geography, aging population, and heavily seasonal economic base, exceptional challenges exist to the accessibility and affordability of healthcare. How can you improve the health of our community? How can you make good healthcare a reality for more people in our county?
Removing Barriers that Inhibit People's Full Participation in the Community
The Economic Development Adjustment Plan states that retirees, visitors, seasonal residents, and all citizens are valuable resources to be engaged for the betterment of our community. The Compass II Project identifies mobility and quality of life as key issues in Door County. Removing physical and other invisible barriers that inhibit people from full participation in the community reduces alienation and isolation.
The Door County Community Foundation believes that engaged community members support productive families, build important social and business networks, allow access to job opportunities, lead to healthier less isolated lifestyles, and encourage personal independence, responsibility, and higher self esteem. How can you connect people and promote community participation?
Community Impact Grant General Guidelines
Successful projects will include many of the following elements:
1. Significant Impact on the Community: Has achievable, sustainable, and measurable results
2. Innovation and Creativity: Advances unique solutions to community need
3. Collaboration and Cross-Disciplinarity: Includes cooperation and collaboration among a variety of organizations and resources
4. Promotion of Civic Engagement: Connects and engages young and old, permanent and seasonal residents of Door County
5. Ability to Attract New Resources to the Community: Draws additional funding and resources from other sources and leverages Door County Community Foundation funds.
Terms of grant will be negotiated with grant recipients.
Eligibility
Non-profit organizations serving Door County, including 501(c) (3) public charities, local schools, local governmental entities, and religious organizations serving the public through non-religious public outreach are eligible to apply for a grant. If required, grant applicants agree to participate in an on-site visitation as part of the review process of any submitted application.
Limitations
These grants will not fund:
2008 & 2009 Sturgeon Bay Events
